Longest-Running Cases in the U.S.
The longest-running court case in the United States is widely considered to be Mitchell v. United States. This case involves a dispute over land rights that has been ongoing since the 1950s. The case centers on claims related to Native American land and has seen multiple appeals, legal battles, and changes in the legal landscape over the decades.
Another long-running case is Cherokee Nation v. Georgia, which dates back to the early 19th century and has had lasting implications for Native American sovereignty and legal rights.
Brown v. Board of Education (1954–Present). While the initial decision was in 1954, the case and its ramifications have continued through various related legal battles and implementation issues. This landmark Supreme Court case declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional, leading to ongoing legal and social developments related to civil rights and education.
Shortest Jury Deliberation
On 22 July 2004, Nicholas Clive McAllister (New Zealand) was acquitted of cultivating cannabis plants at a hearing that lasted just one minute at Greymouth District Court, Greymouth, West Coast, New Zealand The jury left to consider the verdict at 3.28pm and returned at 3.29 pm.
Strangest Legal Battles in U.S. History
The Case of the Stolen Kidney
In a truly strange case from Long Island, New York, a man sued his ex-wife for the return of his kidney, which he had donated to her while they were still married. When their marriage ended bitterly, he demanded either his kidney back or compensation of $1.5 million. The court rejected his claim, citing the legal principle that human organs cannot be considered property in a divorce settlement.
Suing Satan
In 1971, a man named Gerald Mayo took the unusual step of suing Satan and his minions for causing him distress and challenging his life. The U.S. District Court in Pennsylvania had to consider this unique case, ultimately dismissing it. The reason? The court stated that Satan, being a foreign prince, could not be served a lawsuit without an address.
The Fear of Pickles
In 1999, a woman in Albuquerque, New Mexico, attempted to sue a local TV station for $1.3 million because they showed a picture of a pickle on TV. She claimed to have a severe phobia of pickles and alleged that the sight of them caused her emotional distress. The case was dismissed as the court could not reasonably expect the TV station to know about her specific phobia.
Man Sues Himself
In a Virginia prison in 1995, an inmate made legal history by attempting to sue himself for $5 million. He claimed that he had violated his own civil rights by getting arrested. While he admitted that he couldn’t pay the sum due to being in prison, he suggested that the state should pay on his behalf. The case was quickly dismissed.
The Fear of the Number 666
In 2011, a man in Tennessee quit his job after his W-2 tax form had the number “666” printed on it. He believed the number was a mark of the devil and sued the company for constructive dismissal. Surprisingly, he won his case in court, and the jury awarded him $150,000 in damages.
The Case of the Dry Cleaning and the Lost Pants
A judge in Washington, D.C., sued a dry cleaner for losing his pair of pants and demanded $67 million for the loss, citing the city’s consumer protection act. The case dragged on for years, and the dry cleaner eventually won, but the legal battle forced them to close their business due to the hefty legal costs.
Categorized in: General
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